CPJ Impact

News from the Committee to Protect Journalists, March 2012

Landmark legislation in Mexico

After years of advocacy by CPJ and other press freedom
groups, Mexico's senate finally approved
legislation ensuring the punishment of anti-press crimes. Mexican President
Felipe Calderón had promised
a CPJ delegation in 2008 and again in 2010 that he would get the measure
implemented, and on March 13, the legislation was passed.

The achievement--which gives federal authorities jurisdiction
over crimes against "journalists, people, or outlets that affects, limits, or
impinges upon the right to information and freedom of expression and the
press"--should go a long way toward bringing justice for the more than 40
Mexican journalists killed
since 2006.

During the passing of the bill on the senate floor, CPJ's
Mexico representative, Mike O'Connor, was lauded by the senate for CPJ's
contribution to making the law a reality. This heartening victory, however,
does not signify a defeat of impunity. It is only one
step toward bringing to justice the killers of Mexican journalists who must
be tried and sentenced.

Press targeted by Syrian government

CPJ issued a report
on the anniversary of the Syrian uprising that documented eight
local and international journalists killed on duty in the country since
November 2011. Findings from the report pointed to substantial evidence that
two local journalists, Ferzat
Jarban and Basil
al-Sayed, were directly targeted by government forces. Circumstantial
evidence and witness statements pointed to the possibility that government
forces may have taken deliberate, hostile action against the press that led to
the deaths of international journalists Gilles Jacquier, Marie Colvin, and Rémi Ochlik.

CPJ's call
for the end of journalist murders in Syria was met with support from the International
Commission of Inquiry for Syria, appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council
to investigate rights violations in the country from March 2011. Paulo
Pinheiro, head of the commission, referred to CPJ's report on journalists
killed in the country when criticizing Syrian policy. Our research shows that Syria
has the highest number of journalist deaths of any country swept by the Arab
revolutions.

CPJ advocacy draws response from Liberian government

After journalist Mae Azango received threats for reporting
on the practice of female genital mutilation in Liberia, CPJ publicized the
story worldwide, drawing attention to the dangers she faced. The urgency of
Azango's story also prompted CPJ to initiate a social media campaign to
pressure President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government into taking action in her
case.

CPJ wrote a letter
to Sirleaf, asking that authorities ensure Azango's safety. The Liberian
government issued a public statement
in response, condemning "intolerance whose objective is to stifle the exercise
of individual freedoms and to frustrate the advance of civil liberties." Azango
remains under threat in Liberia, and CPJ is continuing to advocate on her
behalf.

Guinean officials apologize to assaulted journalist

CPJ's coverage of an assault by Guinean police on a journalist
led to a public
apology by officials. Kounkou Mara was attempting to interview the head of
a bank when Guinean police deemed her a security threat and pushed
and shoved her outside, injuring her in the process. In the apology, officials
said they recognized the mistake committed by its police officers and asked Mara
to forgive their actions.

Journalist Assistance supports Egyptian reporter

In November 2011, Ahmed Fiqqi, an Egyptian radio reporter
for the independent media organization Hoqook,
was struck in his eye by a bullet while covering political unrest in Cairo. After
Fiqqi received financial assistance for two surgeries from a regional press
freedom group, CPJ's Journalist
Assistance program provided him with support for his rehabilitation and the
follow-up surgeries meant to restore his vision and the shape of his eye.

In April, CPJ will release the new Journalist Security Guide,
which will offer guidelines for basic preparedness and advice on complex issues
such as digital security and threat assessment.
The guide, geared toward journalists around the world, will be available
in Arabic, English, and Spanish.